It’s all about the neighborhood
Alas, it seems Joe Maloney, ANC 4C Commissioner for 4C02 is resigning from the ANC. He and his family are moving out of the area. If you live in ANC 4C02 and are considering serving, they'll need a new commissioner. Joe sent an email to the 16th Street Heights listserv earlier today:
Read the full email after the break:
Read MoreI'm really pleased to share that I have been nominated to participate in the 1st Cohort of the Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Academy. Six residents from each of the seven MPD districts were nominated by MPD leadership to take part, and I was nominated by Fourth District leadership to attend.
I'm really not sure what to expect, per se. According to the nomination papers, the Academy is a six week, 28-hour training program offering information about how DC MPD operates, from the academy to station tours, overviews of specialized policing units like the harbor patrol and K-9, and class discussions on juvenile issues, policing scenarios and use of force. I'm thinking the goal is to create "champions" within the community that can liaison, promote and help MPD engage with residents. (Note that I'm not going to the police academy and not going to be a police officer... this is a learning opportunity for civilians.) Read more after the break:
Read More4D Inspector Vendette Parker
Inspector Vendette Parker, sub-commander for the MPD Fourth District, is kicking off a new public outreach campaign this week called "I Wish U Knew." This campaign is designed to offer local residents the opportunity to tell Inspector Parker what you wish she knew about any issue affecting you, the community and MPD. It's an off-shoot of Mayor Bowser's #IWishUKnew campaign, and was Inspector Parker's idea on how to reach out to and engage with the community.
This will be a weekly series of meetings outdoors in public spaces, where pedestrians can easily come up and talk to MPD. Inspector Parker will be setting up a tent at the Georgia Avenue Metro this Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:00pm to 7:30pm. She's asking for residents to come by, meet her and some fellow officers and share your thoughts, concerns, complaints and compliments. The next meetings will take place in Mt. Pleasant and Riggs-Park. Inspector Parker will announce other locations in the weeks ahead.
They're suggesting you use use hashtags #iwishuknew and tweet to @dcpolicedept on social media.
Inspector Parker has an impressive background with MPD, serving for more than 21 years across DC in all 7 police districts. Read her MPD bio here, and if you can, stop by to talk and meet Inspector Parker.
The Petworth Dance Project needs your help. A great addition to our local culture in Petworth, the Dance Project brings modern dance to Petworth Park on 8th & Taylor, free for residents.
They need help funding the project. They're only 17% of the way toward their goal, and they only have 40 hours left. If you can afford to drop them $5, $10 or $50, I know the organizers will appreciate your help, and you'll know you're supporting the arts in Petworth.
The next two events coming up in June and July sound great, and the one in July takes places in the Spray Park!
Visit their Indiegogo campaign site today, and donate a little Petworth love to them.
The kickoff of the 5th season of the Petworth Jazz Project was a good time -- crowded with people picnicking, kids playing and some really great music, and capped off a long day of Petworth activities. Big kudos to Tom Pipkin, the passionate organizer behind the Project.
I was able to chat with the percussionist Joe Kennedy, Jr (aka "Rainbow Joe") and he had a good time playing for the kids (he does drum workshops and lessons, if you're interested) and the kids had a great time playing instruments and dancing around the park.
While I was waiting for the Donvonte McCoy Quintet to come on, I met Sara Herrera Kopetchney, who runs the Petworth Dance Project... Read more & see pics and video after the break:
Read MorePetworth Library had its Summer Reading Kickoff celebration today, and got a visit by the 16th President of the United States! Ok, a tall fabric version, but close enough! The Lincoln mascot from the Washington Nationals came by to help celebrate summer reading and entertain kids of all ages (I think the parents were more excited than the kids, lol).
There are some great books available, from young kids to teens to adult fiction and non-fiction. Best part, they're all free. If you haven't checked out the recently renovated Petworth Library, y you're definitely missing out on a wonderful resource. You can even check out DVDs and CDs (no download required). ;)
See all the great pics after the break:
Read MoreThe Powell Carnival is going on at Upshur Street Park (at the basketball courts until 4pm).
There's a bouncy house, games, food and lots of neighbors and Powell parents with their kids. Councilmember Todd and his Director of Constituent Services Jackson Carnes were there (Todd even bought a Powell Elementary shirt). Carla Ferris, co-president of the Powell parents group, was doing great running the hoola hoop contest, while her husband Horacio Artiga made some outstanding hot dogs.
Andy Rowe, co-president of the Powell parents group, said "Turnout today has been great. We have folks from the school and from the neighborhood. It's been a great time!"
See pictures after the break:
Read MoreThe Petworth Market is doing brisk business this morning. Get set for a busy day in Petworth by picking up your morning coffee at Harrars, a sandwich from Meat Crafters and a dessert with Teeny's and Emma's Bake Shop.
Then treat yourself to handmade Petworth and DC art from Torie Partridge at Cherry Blossom Creative (Torie's art is the cover photo for Petworth News, and a signed copy is hanging in our foyer.) The prices Torie is asking for her artwork is insanely low-priced, so grab a piece of DC art!
Read more to see all the pictures!
Read MoreANC 4C05 Commissioner Zach Teutsch sent out an email today about the construction at Powell Elementary. The DC Department of General Services will present on their progress with the Powell renovation project and the Twin Oaks construction at a meeting on June 11th at 6:15pm at Powell Elementary (1350 Upshur St NW).
Zach is hopeful that they will solicit community input about the design of the parking lot, as there has been vocal support for green screening and permeable paving for the parking lot.
Zach will followup with DGS to request they seek community input. If you have questions or concerns, contact Commissioner Teutsch.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, the company is now offering same day delivery for orders above $35 (if under that, it's $5.99) if you live in DC. That's pretty cool.
The next bi-weekly newsletter for Celebrate Petworth came out, and it's chock full of information on the upcoming events in Petworth. And there's a ton going on.
Read it at your leisure (and be sure to subscribe if you don't already!).
Tonight was the PSA 404 & 407 meeting at 801 Shepherd Street. A larger turnout of residents this time, about 18 or so, each with concerns or questions. The biggest concerns were the shootings, drug dealing, public drinking and loitering by people residents considered “suspicious.” (For example, suspicious is driving up in an alley in a Maryland car, parking for 20 mins while people come to the car window, then driving off.)
The new lieutenant for PSA 404, Lieutenant Raul Figueras, arrived early and came with a chart showing crime stats for the past 30 days and calendar year.
Read more after the break:
Read MoreThis Saturday, May 30th is the kickoff of the 5th season of the Petworth Jazz Project at Petworth Park (8th & Taylor). There's always a kids' show first, followed by a very talented jazz musician or group.
As always Petworth Jazz Project brings the best in local jazz to the heart of Petworth, for free, outdoors, on the lawn. Is there any better way to spend your evening? Tell a neighbor and bring a friend!
Read more after the break:
Read MoreCome celebrate Petworth News reaching a milestone of 1,000 Facebook Likes, a new website (this one!), and neighbors connecting with neighbors.
If I've ever committed to buying you a beer for reading to the bottom of a long post, here's your chance to try to collect.
I look forward to meeting you at the event and putting faces to the names!
Petworth News, a neighborhood blog on local news, information & events about the Petworth area in Washington DC.
Petworth News is a news site about Petworth area neighborhoods in Washington DC, written by Drew Schneider and other amazing contributing writers. It features facts and objective reporting, as well as an occasional subjective point of view and opinion.
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